Traveling hydraulic crane structure



Feb. 23, 1960 w. ca. FRENZEL TRAVELING HYDRAULIC CRANE STRUCTURE 5 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed June 12. 1956 INVENTOR ATTORNEY Feb.- 23, 1960 w. e. FRENZEL TRAVELING HYDRAULIC cams STRUCTURE Filed June 12, 1956 5 Sheets-Sheet 2 gal I ,"za

INVENTOR W/LBUR 6. FRENZEL ATTORNEY Feb. 23, 1960 W. G. FRENZEL TRAVELING HYDRAULIC CRANE STRUCTURE Filed June 12, 1956 5 Sheets-Sheet 3 saw 5/ W/LBUR G. FRENZEL 1N VENTOR Feb. 23, 1960 w. G. FRENZEL TRAVELING HYDRAULIC CRANE STRUCTURE 5 Sheets-Sheet 4 Filed June 12, 1956 INVENTOR W/LBUR G FRENZEL United States Patent TRAVELING HYDRAULIC CRANE STRUCTURE Wilbur G. Frenzel, Nome, Tex.

Application June 12, 1956, Serial No. 590,983

'3 Claims. (Cl. 212-35) structure of this invention represents an improvement on the invention disclosed and claimed in my prior Patent No. 2,601,927, patented July 1, 1952.

As is well known, cranes for handling various types of loads are frequently mounted on land vehicles, boats or other conveyances, but usually these cranes have required the provision of a relatively massive and costly hoisting apparatus, including winding drums and power means therefor, and furthermore, in these prior art cranes where it was desired to transfer a load from an outboard position onto the platform on which the crane was mounted, the radius of operation was considerably reduced, by reason of the fact, that the crane structure was normally fixed longitudinally of the platform and in the event it was desired to engage a load to the rear of such platform, it was necessary to provide an excessively long boom which seriously reduced the stability and lifting capacity of the crane structure. Furthermore, many of these prior art crane structures did not provide a positive control for swinging movements of the crane, depending for such control on flexible guy members very often manually operated, and as a result, the crane structure required several operators or helpers, thereby materially increasing the cost of operation.

While traveling cranes in general are, of course, old and well known, such cranes have for the most part been relatively massive and costly and have constituted permanent installations, rather than being mounted on a conveyance, such as a land vehicle, boat or at any other desired location where it was desired to utilize such a crane for a relatively short time and thereafter transfer the same to another location.

It is accordingly an object of this invention to provide a traveling hydraulic crane structure which may be conveniently and economically mounted on a conveyance, such as a land vehicle or boat, or may be temporarily mounted at any other desired location.

A further object of the invention is the provision of a traveling hydraulic crane structure including a load carrying platform and in which the crane is mounted for longitudinal movement on such platform.

A still further object of the invention is the provision of a traveling crane structure including a load carrying platform and in which the crane structure is mounted for longitudinal movement on such platform, this longitudinal movement being provided by a double acting hydraulic cylinder and ram.

Another object of the invention is the provision of a traveling crane structure including a load carrying platand a carriage mounted for longitudinal movement on such platform there being a boom and two side guy members mounted for pivotal and swiveling movement on the carriage, the boom and guy members each constituting double acting hydraulic cylinders and rams.

A further object of the invention is the provision of a traveling crane structure including a load carrying platform and a carriage mounted for longitudinal movement on such platform there being a boom and two side guy members mounted for pivotal and swiveling movement on the carriage, the two side guy members being mounted on foot members which are selectively movable longitudinally of the carriage.

A still further object of the invention is the provision of a traveling crane structure including a load carrying platform with the crane structure mounted for longitudinal movement on such platform and in which the entire crane structure and longitudinally movable carriage on which the same is mounted and with the exception of a hoisting cable, are hydraulically operated and controlled.

Another object of the invention is the provision of a double acting hydraulic cylinder and ram in which a plurality of concentrically arranged telescoping pistons and cylinders, together with a ram are provided, in order to permit longitudinal movement of the ram for a distance substantially greater than the length of the entire unit when in retracted telescoped position.

Further objects and advantages of the invention will be apparent from the following description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawing wherein:

Fig. 1 is a side elevational view of a traveling hydraulic crane structure constructed in accordance with this invention and mounted on a motor vehicle;

Fig. 2 a rear elevational view of the crane structure and motor vehicle shown in Fig. 1 and with the crane' structure in position for engaging a load disposed to one side of the vehicle;

Fig. 3 a top plan view of the load carrying platform, together with the longitudinally movable carriage mounted thereon and showing the winding drum for the hoisting cable, as well as a portion of the mechanism for moving the carriage longitudinally of the platform;

Fig. 4 a rear elevational view with parts in section for greater clarity and showing the side rails for mounting the carriage, as well as the carriage mounting rollers and the upstanding room supporting frame carried by the carriage;

Fig. 5 a fragmentary side elevational view of the carriage and mounting means therefor, as well as the up standing frame and mounting means for the boom on the carriage and the mounting means for the side guy members and also showing the relationship of the hoisting cable winding drum with respect to the movable car'- riage;

Fig. 6 a fragmentary top view in perspective showing the manner of pivot-ally connecting the two side guy members and the'boom;

Fig. 7 a bottom view in perspective showing the manner of pivotally connecting the side guy members and the boom, as well as the maner of suspending a tackle block therefrom;

Fig. 8 a fragmentary sectional view in perspective showing the lower end of one of the side guy members, as well as the swivel foot member for mounting the same on the carriage;

Fig. 9 a fragmentary view in perspective showing a portion of the operating mechanism for moving the carriage with relation to the load carrying platform;

Fig. 10 a fragmentary bottom plan view showing the manner of mounting the hydraulic cylinder and ram for moving the carriage longitudinally of the load carrying platform; i. A f

Fig. 11 a longitudinal sectional view showing adouble acting telescoping cylinder and ram construction which I may be utilized in the crane structure of this invention; and

Fig. 12, a fragmentary longitudinal sectional view showing the mounting for the traversing chain and power cylinder, as well as the connection between the carriage and chain and cross head and chain. With continued reference to the drawing and particularly Fig. 1, there is shown a traveling hydraulic crane structure constructed in accordance with this invention and which for purposes of illustration only, is shown as mounted on a motor vehicle, but may, if desired, be mounted on any other type of vehicle, on a boat or at any other desired location. The motor vehicle which is shown for purposes of illustration, may well comprise a chassis 10 mounted on front and rear ground engaging wheels 11 and 12 respectively, and may be provided with the conventional drivers cab 13 which also serves to house the driving motor, not shown.

A pair of spaced substantially parallel rails 14 and 15 may be mounted on the chassis 10 at opposite sides thereof and the rails 14 and 15 may be secured together by suitable cross members 16 which serve to support a load carrying platform 17 extending from the cab "13 to the rear end of the vehicle.

The rails 14 and 15 may well comprise outwardly turned channel irons and slidably mounted thereon for movement longitudinally of the vehicle is a carriage 18, which as best shown in Figs. 1 to may well comprise elongated side members 19 and 20 joined together adjacent their rear ends by a cross member 21 and each of the side members 19 and 20 may well include downwardly extending plates 22 and 23 overhanging the upper flanges 24 and 25 of the rails 14 and 15 respectively. Rotatably mounted on the overhanging plates 22 and 23 are rollers 26 and 27 respectively, which serve to engage the lower surfaces of the flanges 24 and 25 on the rails 14 and 15 and also carried by the side members 19 and 20 and rotatably mounted thereon, are rollers 28 and 29 which engage the upper surfaces of the flanges 24 and 25 respectively on the rails 14 and 15. These rollers serve to mount the side members 19 and 20, which together with the cross member 21 comprise the carriage 18 for free longitudinal sliding movement on the rails 14 and 15.

Power means is provided for traversing the carriage 18 in either direction along the rails 14 and 15 and with particular reference to Figs. 3, 9, and 12, the load carrying platform 17 is provided with a longitudinally, centrally located slot 30 extending for a major portion of the length of the load carrying platform 17 and disposed below the slot 30 and trained over sprockets or rollers 30 adjacent each end thereof is an endless chain 31 and secured to the chain and extending through the slot 30 is an arm 32 which in turn is secured to the cross member 21 of the carriage 18. Secured to the underside of load carrying platform 17 are spaced depending brackets 33 and 34 and pivotally mounted on such brackets by a pin or screw threaded fastening means 35 is a double acting hydraulic cylinder 36 extending longitudinally of the platform 17 and provided with a ram 37 having secured thereto a cross head 38 which is slidably mounted on depending slides 39 and 40 secured to the underside of the platform 17. The cross head 38 is attached to the chain 31, in any suitable manner and the cylinder 36 may be provided with combined inlet and outlet fluid pressure conduits 41 and 42 adjacent each end thereof.

It will be seen, that upon admission of fluid pressure through the conduit 41, that the ram 37 and cross head 38 will be moved outwardly of the cylinder 36 and will thereby move the chain 31 which in turn through the arm 32 will move the carriage 18 in one direction. Fluid already in the cylinder 46 will, during such movement, be exhausted through the conduit 42. Upon the admission of fluid pressure through the conduit 42 to the cylinder 36, the ram 37 and cross head 38 will move in. the

opposite direction to exhaust fluid through the conduit 41 and, at the same time, will move the chain 31 and through the arm 32 will move the carriage 18 in the opposite direction. Obviously, by this mechanism, the carriage 18 may be positioned at any desired location on the rails 14 and 15.

Mounted on the cross member 21 of the carriage 18 is an upstanding frame 43 which may well comprise upstanding frame members 44, 45, 46 and 47 secured to the cross member 21 and connected adjacent their upper ends by a cross beam 48. Adjacent the center of the cross beam 48, there may be provided an aperture or a socket 49 extending ltherethrough which serves to rotatably re ceive a swivel pin 50 depending from a fitting 51 comprising side plates 52 and 53 between which spaced sheaves 54 and 55 are mounted for rotation on parallel axes 56 and 57 respectively. The swivel pin 50 may be provided with a cross pin 58 disposed below the cross beam 48, in order to prevent inadvertent removal of the swivel pin 50 from the socket or aperture 49.

Pivotally mounted on the axle 56 of the sheave 54 is a yoke 59 which is attached to the lower end 60 of a boom 61 and the boom 61 may well comprise an elongated double acting hydraulic cylinder 62 provided with an extensible and retractable ram 63. Combined inlet and outlet conduits 64 and 65 may be connected to the cylinder 62 adjacent each end thereof and these conduits 64 and 65, as well as the conduits 41 and 42 connected to the cylinder 36, are connected to a hydraulic control valve mechanism 66 disposed within the cab 13 in a position convenient-to the operator.

Side member 19 of the carriage 18 is provided with a plurality of longitudinally spaced sockets or apertures 67, 68 and 69 and selectively disposed in one of these apertures is the swivel pin 70 of a swivel foot member 71, which is provided at the upper end with spaced ears 72 and 73 between which is pivotally mounted on a cross pin 74, a fitting 75. Fitting 75 is in turn secured to the lower end 76 of a side guy member 77 and the side guy member 77 may well comprise an elongated double acting hydraulic cylinder 78 provided with an extensible and I retractable ram 79. The cylinder 78 is provided adjacent each end thereof, with combined inlet and outlet conduits 80 and 81 and such conduits are connected to the hydraulic control valve 66.

Similarly, the side member 20 of the carriage 18 is provided with a plurality of longitudinally spaced apertures or sockets 82, 83 and 84 and these sockets serve to selectively receive the swivel pin of a swivel foot member 85, to which is pivotally attached by a cross pin 86, the lower end 87 of a side guy member 88, which may also comprise a hydraulic cylinder 89 provided with an extensible and retractable ram 90. Inlet and outlet conduits, not shown, are connected to opposite ends of the cylinder 89 and are in turn connected to the hydraulic control valve 66.

As best shown in Figs. 6 and 7, the rams 79 and 90 of the cylinders 78 and 89 respectively, which comprise the side guy members 77 and 88 respectively, are connected together at their outer ends by a cross pin 91 which is pivotally connected to the ram 79 by screw threaded or other suitable means 92 and is pivotally connected to the outer end of ram 90 by a screw threaded or other suitable means 93. The outer end of the ram 63 of boom 61 is provided with a yoke 94 having spaced ears 95 and 96 which are provided with aligned apertures for pivotally connecting the ears 95 and 96 to the cross pin 91. Pivotally received on the cross pin 91 between the ears 95 and 96 is a hanger member 97 which serves to engage the hook 98 of a tackle block 99 to suspend the same therefrom. The tackle block 99 may be of the snatch block type, as shown in Fig. 7, a plain block may be utilized if desired. It will thus be seen, that the connecting structure between the rams 79 and 90 of the side guy members 77 and 88 and the ram 63 of the boom 61, permit free swinging movement to either side or up and down movement of the two side :guy members and the boom upon appropriate operation of the hydraulic cylinders comprising these three members. The tackle block 99 will, of course, always remain in substantially a vertical position due to the pivotal suspension thereof from the cross pin 91.

A winding drum 100may berotatably mounted on the platform 17 and a power take-oif 101 enclosed in a suitable housing 102 may be provided for driving the winding drum 100 from thern'otor 'of the vehicle on whichthe hydraulic crane structureof this invention is mounted. Of course, if desired, a separate driving motor for the'win'ding drum 100 maybe provided. Secured to the winding drum 100 and extending over the sheaves 54 and 55 and through the tackle block 99 is a hoisting cable 103 and this cable may be provided at its end with a suitable load engaging hook 104 or, of course, if desired, other load engaging'mean's may-be attached to the cable103.' p

The operation of the crane structure of this invention is extremely simple and the same may be conveniently controlled from one location within the cab 13 and as 1 will be seen, it is only necessary to control the flow of fluid pressure to the cylinder 36 in order to position the carriage 18 at any desired longitudinal location along the rails 14 and 15 and thereafter, it is only necessary to control the flow offluid pressure to the cylinder 62 comprising the boom 61,.in order to adjust the'vertical position of the tackle block 99. The lateral or transverse position of the tackle block 99 may be controlled by fluid pressure supplied to the side guy members 77 and 88 and, as shown in Fig. 2, the tackle block 99 may be swung to one side of the vehicle and, of course, the same may be locatedto the rear or at the other side of the vehicle, depending upon the adjustment of theside guy members 77 and 88; Upon positioning the tackle block 99 at the. proper location, operation of the winding drum 100 will serve to raise or lower a load attached to the hoisting cable 103 and I such load may, if desired, be hoisted and the carriage 18.moved forwardly on the rails 14 and 15, in order to permit'depositing theload on the load carrying platform 17.

While the double acting hydrauhc cylinders, above described and shownin the drawings, have been of the conventional single pi'stontype, there may, if desired, in order. to provide a greater range of movement be utilized a double acting hydraulic cylinder having a plurality of concentric and telescopically related pistons which will providev for ram movement greatly in excess of the length of the main cylinderand thereby provide a wide range of movement while maintaining the size of the apparatus ata minimum.

As bestshownin Fig. 11, the alternative cylinder and ram construction may well comprise an outer main cylinder 105 having a head 106 at one end thereof and packing'means comprising an .O-ring 107 at the opposite end. Combined inlet and outlet ports 108 and 109 may be provided adjacent opposite ends of cylinder 105. Slidably disposed in the cylinder 105 isa piston 110 and secured thereto in concentric relation to the cylinder 105 is a cylinder 111 of reduced diameter. The cylin- ,der 111 is connected at the end 112 to the piston 110 in fluid tight relation thereto and the outer surface of the piston 111 engages the packing means 107 on the cylinder 105. The opposite end of cylinder 111 is also provided with packing means 113, which as before, comprises an 0 ring. A tubular member 114 is disposed in concentric relation to the cylinders 111 and 105 and is secured at one end 115 in fluid tight relation to the piston 110 and at the opposite end, the tubular member 114 is provided with a piston 116. Disposed in the space between the tubular member 114 and the cylinder 111 is an annular piston 117 and this piston 117 is provided with an outer O ring packing means 118 engaging the inner surface of the cylinder 111 and at its inner edge with an O ring packing means 119 engaging the outer surface of the tubular member 114. Secured to the annular piston 117 in fluid tight relation is a third cylinder 120 of further reduced diameter and, as will be seen, this cylinder 120 is concentrically related to the tubular member 114, the cylinder 111 and the cylinder 105. The cylinder 120 slidably engages the packing means 113 on the cylinder 111 and is also engaged on its interior surface, by packing means comprising an O ring 121 mounted on the piston 116. The cylinder 120 comprises the ram of the mechanism described and there is provided, at the outer end thereof, an aperture 122 in a block 123 which constitutes a coupling means for coupling the cylinder 120 to apparatus to be moved thereby.

The piston 110 is provided with a passage 124 which at one end 125 communicates with the cylinder 105 at one side of the piston 110 and at the opposite end '126 i 117 and this port 129 communicates with the space between the cylinder 120 and the tubular member 114 and with the space between the cylinder 120 and the cylinder 111 between the annular piston 117 and the packing means 113. n

In operation of the above described hydraulic cylinder mechanism, fluid under pressure may be introduced to the cylinder 105 through the port 109 and such fluid pressure will force the piston 110 outwardly of the cylinder 105. Such movement will continue until the piston 110 reaches the end of its travel, at which time, fluid under pressure will flow through the port 127 into the cylinder 111 and thereby move the annular piston 117 and cylinder 120 carried thereby toward the left, as viewed in Fig.'

11, until such piston reaches the end of its travel. Movement intheopposite direction may be obtained by admitting fluid under pressure through the port 108 to the cylinder 105,. at which time, the piston will move toward the right, as viewed in Fig. 11, and upon reaching the limit of travel thereof, fluid will flow through the passage 124 and into the tubular member 114, through the ports 128 and 129 to move the annular piston 117 toward the right, as viewed in Fig. 11, until such piston reaches the limit of movement of its travel, at which time, the pistons 111 and will be fully retracted within the cylinder 105. The fluid within the cylinders is, of course, exhausted through the appropriate ports 108 or 109 depending upon the direction of movements of the pistons in the cylinders.

Where a greater range of movement is required and, at the same time, space limitations must be kept to a minimum, the above described telescoping piston and cylinder arrangement may be substituted for the single travel pistons and cylinders above described in connection with the hydraulic crane structure of this invention.

It will be seen that by the above described invention, there has been provided a relatively simple, yet highly efficient hydraulic crane structure which may be conveniently and economically manufactured from readily available materials and also be conveniently mounted on a motor vehicle or other conveyance, as well as mounted for stationary use and in which all operations may be conveniently controlled by a single operator from a single location. Furthermore, by reason of the hydraulic nature of the apparatus, minute movements thereof are easily obtained and furthermore, sufiicient power may be 7 easily provided to accommodate all loads within the capacity of the apparatus.

It will be obvious to those skilled in the art that various changes may be made in the invention without departing from the spirit and scope thereof and therefore the invention is not limited by that which is shown in the drawing and described in the specification, but only as indicated in the appended claims.

What is claimed is:

1. In a traveling hydraulic crane the combination of a pair of spaced substantially parallel rails, a load carrying platform disposed between said rails, a carriage mounted for longitudinal movement on said rails, a low gitudinally extending slot in said platform substantially midway between said rails, means for moving said carriage comprising sprockets rotatably mounted adjacent each end of said slot, a chain trained over said sprockets beneath said slot, a double acting hydraulic cylinder secured to said platform and having a ram fixed to said chain and an arm secured to said carriage and extending through said slot and fixed to said chain whereby upon operation of said ram said carriage will be moved in either direction along said rails, an upstanding frame on said carriage, a fitting mounted to swivel on said frame, spaced sheaves carried by said fitting for rotation on parallel axes, a boom comprising a double acting hydraulic cylinder pivotally mounted at one end on said fitting and having a ram extending from the opposite end, a pair of swivel foot members, each foot member including a swivel pen, a plurality of longitudinally spaced sockets in said carriage for selectively receiving said swivel ends to provide for longitudinal adjustment of said foot members relative to said carriage, a pair of extensible and retractable side guy members, each guy member comprising a double acting hydraulic cylinder pivotally mounted at one end on one of said foot members and having a ram extending from the opposite end, a cross pin pivotally connecting the ends of the rams on said guy members, means pivotally connecting the end of the ram on said boom to said cross pin, means pivotally supporting a tackle block on said cross pin, a winding drum mounted on said platform, a hoisting cable on said winding drum and trained over said sheaves and tackle block and control means for said hydraulic cylinders.

2. In a traveling hydraulic crane the combination of a pair of spaced substantially parallel rails, a load carrying platform disposed between said rails, a carriage mounted for longitudinal movement on said rails, a longitudinally extending slot in said platform, means for moving said carriage comprising members rotatably mounted adjacent each end of said slot, a chain trained over said members beneath said slot, a double acting hydraulic cylinder secured to said platform and having a ram fixed to said chain and an arm secured to said carriage and extending through said slot and fixed to said chain whereby upon operation of said ram said carriage will be moved in either direction on said rails, an upstanding frame on said carriage, a fitting mounted to swivel on said frame, spaced sheaves carried by said fitting for rotation on parallel axes, a boom comprising a double acting hydraulic cylinder pivotally mounted at one end on said fitting and having a ram extending from the opposite end, swivel foot members mounted for longitudinal adjustment adja cent opposite sides of said carriage, a pair of extensible and retractable side guy members, each guy member comprising a double ractingj hydraulic cylinder pivotally mounted. at one end on one of said foot members and having a ram extendingfrom the opposite end, a cross pin pivotally connecting the ends of the rams on said guy members, means pivotally connecting the end of the ram on said boom to said cross pin, means pivotally supporting a tackle block onsaid cross pin, a winding drum mounted on said platform, a hoisting cable on said winding drum and trained over said sheaves and tackle block and control means forsaid hydraulic cylinders.

3. In a traveling hydraulic crane the combination of a pair of, spaced substantially parallel rails, a load carrying platform disposed between said rails, a'carriage mounted forlongitudinal movement on said rails, a longitudinally extending slotin said platform, means for moving said carriage comprising members rotatably mounted adjacent each end of said slot, a flexible element trained over said members beneath said slot, a double acting hydraulic cylinder secured to said platform and having a ram fixed to said element and an arm secured to-said carriage and extending through said slot andjfixed to said element whereby upon operation of said ram said carriage will-be moved ineither direction on said rails, an upstanding frame on said carriage, a fitting mounted to swivel on said frame, a sheave carried by. said fitting, a boom comprising a double acting hydraulic cylinder pivotally mounted'at one end. on said fitting and having a ram extending. from the opposite end, swivel .foot members mounted for longitudinal adjustment adjacent opposite sides of said carriage, a pair of extensible and retractable side guy members, each guy member comprising a double acting hydraulic cylinder pivotally mounted at one end on one ofsaid foot members and having a ram extendingfrom the opposite end, a cross pin pivotally connecting the ends of the rains on said guy members, means pivotally connecting the end of the ram on said boom to said cross pin, means pivotally supporting a tackle block on said cross pin, a winding drum mounted on said plat- References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,420,115 Lange June 20, 1922 1,858,774 Hansen May 17, 1932 1,877,095 Walker Sept. 13, 1932 1,918,419 Needham July 18, 1933 2,519,910 Kershaw' Aug. 22, 1 950 2,565,730 Johnston Aug. 28, 1951 2,601,927 Frenzel July 1, 1952 2,621,812 'Lull Dec. 16, 1952 2,692,584 1 Armington Oct. 26, 1954 2,804,216 Farnam Aug. 27, 1957 2,840,347 Feucht June 24, 1958 2,857,062 Anderson Oct. 21, 1958 s FOREIGN PATENTS 1,040,673" 'France May 27, 1953 

